Author: johnny

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Abbie Barrett And The Last Date @ The Rosebud Bar 7.9.2011

Abbie Barrett came out with dark grey clouds hanging over her set. She was up to some serious business. This was quite a shock to me, as my only previous knowledge of Abbie’s work was the song she wrote and recorded (oh, and performed on this very night) with Brendan Boogie that includes a reference to clubbing baby seals. I wasn’t exactly ready for the brooding songstress that came out with her band, The Last Date.

All storms eventually pass, and such was the case at The Rosebud. Midway through her set, Abbie and her band ventured into some more lighthearted material. The transition made me appreciate both the cloud and its silver lining.

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Brendan Boogie And The Best Intentions @ The Rosebud Bar 7.9.2011

Brendan Boogie is a man with a plan. His plan was to release six EPs in the first half of 2011 with a celebratory shindig thrown every month. He just successfully completed* this cycle with another fun night at The Rosebud in honor of Songs From The Armory Vol. 3.

The opening featured Brendan Boogie and his latest co-conspirators playing the songs from the new EP. It was loose and fun for just about everyone involved.**

The second part of the set had Brendan and The Best Intentions ripping through some of their finest material. I know there was a lot of (probably well-deserved) hype about a certain catch-us-before-our-reunion event elsewhere in town, but Brendan and his gang were putting on a memorable show of their own. No regrets here. It was a blast.

* Well, he did take April off, so the sixth EP didn’t come out until July. For some reason I feel the need to mention this (again). I don’t know if this is because I don’t want people to think I don’t know how to count or if I just like giving Brendan a hard time. It’s most likely the latter, but the former gives me a plausible out.

** Seriously, almost everyone had fun with this part. Almost…

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Leo Blais @ The Rosebud Bar 7.9.2011

Leo Blais opened yet another night of high quality music at The Rosebud. We’re spoiled around these parts.

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Brendan Boogie – Songs From The Armory Vol. 3 (2011)


Brendan Boogie
Songs From The Armory Vol. 3
2011

Brendan Boogie is back with the last EP of his ambitious project to release new music every month for the first half of 2011.* This time around, Brendan presents us with a third installment of songs co-written with like-minded pop aficionados.

First up is “Attraction Fades”, one of two collaborations with Oranjuly’s Brian King (who has so far managed to avoid the dragons that are no doubt pursuing him). Mr. King’s retro pop stamp is all over this song. This is one of my favorite songs to come out of Brendan Boogie’s EP experiment. I love it.

Naked On Roller Skates’ Leesa Coyne takes over lead vocal duties on the melancholic “Using Me Using You”. The song has a beautiful sadness to it. Brendan’s duet with Abbie Barrett on “Love Is For Losers” lightens the mood as much as a song that references clubbing baby seals can lighten a mood (which, it turns out, is quite a bit).

Brendan Boogie and Brian King reunite for the closing number, a timeless piano ballad titled “With A Single Motion”. The stark instrumentation allows the layered vocals to shine. Fantastic.

Where to get it:

* Much like the mid week hiatus of The Rock ‘N’ Roll Rumble’s preliminary round, Mr. Boogie took April off. Slacker.

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The Tenafly Vipers @ Midway Cafe 7.1.2011

The Tenafly Vipers fired riff after riff at the late night revelers who made their way to The Midway for the Idle Baron’s Ball. They even inspired some unusual, uh… dancing, I guess. For these photos, we’re sticking with the loud, fast, action rock side of things…

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Lenny Lashley’s Gang Of One @ Midway Cafe 7.1.2011

The other day I heard some music coming from my new work neighbor’s area. I recognized it immediately.

“Are you listening to Lenny And The Piss Poor Boys over there?” I asked.

“Yup.”

We’re going to get along just fine, new work neighbor.

Little did I know this exchange would be a sign of good things to come. Lenny Lashley performed an impromptu set during the Idle Barons Ball at the Midway that very Friday night. What a nice way to end the week.

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Emily Peal – Tunneling (2011)


Emily Peal
Tunneling
2011

Truth be told, I don’t feel entirely qualified to write about Emily Peal’s new record. I can’t seem to wrap my head around it. I’ve been listening to Tunneling for about a month now, and every time I do I get the spins. The attention to detail is staggering. This record is impossibly complex, yet maintains a remarkable accessibility (you know, except for the disorientation thing). I’m done thinking about it. I’m just going to enjoy it.

Emily Peal’s piano driven sound is equal parts musical theater, introspective singer-songwriter sensibility and Queen-style grandiose rock, complete with intricately layered backing vocals and bombastic guitars. Check out the menacing “Gentle When You’re Cruel”, the emotional “Privilege”, the delicate “Creator” and the disarming “Elephant In The Room” to get an idea of the musical range Tunneling covers. It’s vast.

I’ve got a soft spot for “Wise To You”. It’s a song that never fails to make me smile. This studio version has more elaborate instrumentation than the live version I posted a little while back, but maintains the latter’s undeniable charm.

Tunneling is quite the impressive album, whose whole is even greater than its numerous parts. Just don’t try to figure it all out. It will make your head spin.

Where to get it:

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Michael J. Epstein – “July 4, 1976 (Disco Independence)” (2011)


Michael J. Epstein
“July 4, 1976 (Disco Independence)”
2011

Do you like historically inaccurate songs about Independence Day, the Founding Fathers, disco music, life, liberty and the pursuit of facial hair? Maybe?

Michael J. Epstein is hoping you do.* He’s written “July 4, 1976 (Disco Independence)” for people just like you! You need not like actual disco music, just songs about disco music, as the song is not in the disco style. It’s a little indie rock ditty that rewrites history to explain why we have fireworks and barbecues this time each year. It’s a free download. As an added bonus, Mr. Epstein is throwing in a version of “The Stars And Stripes Forever (Moustache Mix)” that sounds like…

I’ve spent enough time on this.

Where to get it:

* Actually, he probably doesn’t even care. He seems like a well enough adjusted individual to not worry about this sort of thing. It’s all good.

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Star Ghost Dog – Happylove (1998)

Star Ghost Dog - Happylove
Star Ghost Dog
Happylove
1998

“I guess I’m gonna call in sick today.
I’m feeling way too healthy anyway.”

With those words we’re introduced to Star Ghost Dog. Happylove is choc-full of dark, moody indie rock with bounce. It sounds weird, but it’s true. Star Ghost Dog are masters of dispiriting songs with a spring in their step.

The somber nature of the lyrics can be startling at times. Songs with titles like “Heroin Face,” “Downer,” and “Tell Everyone We’re Dead” probably don’t need to have this mentioned. The title track declares “I love your happy love oh yes I love your happy love love love,” but I’m not buying it. This ain’t bubble gum pop.

Despite the bleakness of the subject matter, there’s warmth to these songs. They sound like pleasantly faded snapshots. They have energy. Guitars fizzle and jump. Boy girl vocal harmonies balance the often deadpan vocal delivery. You can bob your head to songs like “Kite” and “You’re Not There.” Heck, there’s even an indie disco song, “Plus De Vaches.”

On Happylove, Star Ghost Dog are still rough around the edges. By the time of their next record, The Great Indoors, the band will have polished and perfected their sound.

Where to get it: